Android 4.4.3 KitKat Update: 10 Key Details

Google’s Android 4.4.3 KitKat and Android 4.4.4 KitKat updates have been pushing out since June, delivering bug fixes and enhancements to Android users around the world. With Android 4.4.3 KitKat set to make a big push this month, we want to take a look at what we think are the most important Android 4.4.3 KitKat update details.

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June was a busy month for Google. In early June, it rolled out Android 4.4.3 KitKat, a highly anticipated bug fix update aimed at quelling Android 4.4.2 KitKat problems. Shortly after its roll out, Google pushed out Android 4.4.4, a smaller update, at least for Nexus devices, that delivered a crucial security patch for an OpenSSL issue.

A few days later, Google announced and released its new Android L update. The update, which is currently available in beta form, will be rolling out to the public sometime later this year, perhaps alongside a new Nexus 8 tablet and Nexus 6 smartphone from Motorola. For now, Android 4.4.3 KitKat and Android 4.4.4 rule the roost and in the past few weeks we’ve seen details start flying around as manufacturers start to push out their own versions of the software.

Those details make it difficult for Android users to follow along. If it seems like there is Android 4.4.3 KitKat update news every single day, well, there is. With tons of devices in tons of regions of around the world, it becomes hard, even for us, to keep track of everything that’s going on.

Here, we want to try and simplify things for Android users and take a look at the 10 most important things to know about the Android 4.4.3 KitKat update right this moment.

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Nexus 7 Remains on Android 4.4.3 KitKat

If you own a Nexus 7, you’re still on Android 4.4.3 KitKat. And unfortunately, we still don’t know when or if you’ll be moving on to Android 4.4.4 KitKat, the update that rolled out for your Nexus brethren several weeks ago. Again, the Nexus 7 Android 4.4.3 KitKat roll out was weeks behind the others so it could be that Google is simply lagging.

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Fortunately, you’re probably not going to be stuck on Android 4.4.3 KitKat or Android 4.4.4 KitKat for that matter. Android L is available right now to select Nexus 7 2013 users which means that the update is more than likely going to hit everyone at some point down the road. Google doesn’t announce these things ahead of time so you’re just going to have to remain patient on Android 4.4.3.

HTC Only Manufacturer Pushing Android 4.4.3 KitKat

If you own a Motorola smartphone or a Sony smartphone, you’re not going to be getting Android 4.4.3 KitKat. Instead, you’re going to be getting Android 4.4.3 KitKat bug fixes baked into Android 4.4.4 KitKat. We get questions about this all the time so we want to put that out there for those Motorola and Sony users who might be confused.

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HTC is doing something different. Instead of baking the Android 4.4.2 bug fixes into Android 4.4.4, it’s putting them in with Android 4.4.3 KitKat upgrades. Right now, it’s the only major carrier rolling out Android 4.4.3 KitKat. It’s not clear if other manufacturers, like LG and Samsung, will head to Android 4.4.3 KitKat or Android 4.4.4 KitKat, if they even decide to head there at all.

The Galaxy Note 4 launch date will come just days before the iPhone 6 launch.

That doesn’t confirm Android 4.4.3 KitKat as the Galaxy Note 4’s software but it does mean that there’s a chance that we could see Samsung use Google’s latest Android 4.4 KitKat software for its new flagship. Perhaps that announcement will open the floodgates. Or maybe not. Android L is getting closer so it’s possible that we’ll see Samsung opt to move to Android L rather than an aging Android 4.4 KitKat upgrade.

AT&T HTC One M8 Android 4.4.3 KitKat Update

As many of you know, carrier certification is a tricky process and software release dates often change. So while HTC might be targeting mid-August for this release, there’s no guarantee that it’s going to arrive. The important thing is that it’s in development and HTC is evidently getting closer to finalizing its roll out.

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T-Mobile HTC One M8 Android 4.4.3 KitKat Update

The T-Mobile HTC One M8 Android 4.4.3 KitKat is in much better shape because it has a specific release date. The update was supposed to start rolling out on August 11th but Versi now says that the update has been delayed a week to August 18th. Hopefully that date will stick though again, there are no guarantees when it comes to software.

Verizon HTC One M8 Android 4.4.3 Update MIA

We still don’t know when the Verizon HTC One M8 Android 4.4.3 KitKat update will be arriving and users will want to keep tabs on Versi’s Twitter account for updated information. He will usually confirm dates and approvals well in advance. Unfortunately, we haven’t heard or seen anything about the Verizon update thus far.

Fortunately, there are a ton of HTC One M8 Android 4.4.3 KitKat updates on the horizon so we could potentially see it roll out in the near future.

New HTC One M8 Android 4.4.3 Updates Coming Soon

HTC One M8 Android 4.4.3 KitKat upgrades are poised to hit devices outside of the United States as well. Australian carrier Optus, in an update to its Android update schedule, says that its HTC One M8 Android 4.4.3 KitKat update has been approved and that it will arrive before the end of August. Fellow Aussie carriers Telstra and Vodafone appear to be close to their roll outs as well.

These are obviously just the tip of the iceberg, most carriers don’t spill the beans ahead of time, and HTC One M8 users should expect a broad roll out on the international level throughout August. HTC is working to deliver this update as fast as it possibly can and it looks like it should wrap this roll out up before the arrival of Android L for both the HTC One M8 and HTC One M7.

HTC One M7 Android 4.4.3 KitKat Update Release

The HTC One M7 Android 4.4.3 KitKat release is moving a little bit slower, not surprising when you consider the fact that the HTC One M7 is last year’s flagship. Fortunately, we saw some key details emerge earlier this week from noted HTC ROM developer and insider, LlabTooFeR.

Release dates will vary from carrier-to-carrier, region-to-region, so HTC One M7 users will simply want to remain patient.

Other Devices

LlabTooFeR claims that HTC One M7 Dual SIM customers and owners of HTC smartphones released in 2014 including the HTC One mini 2 should get Android 4.4.3 KitKat by mid to late September if all goes according to plan.

It’s still not clear if the HTC One mini or the HTC One max, two devices from last year, will get Android 4.4.3 KitKat. It’s possible that both could simply skip to Android L, an update that’s rumored for HTC’s flock of 2013 and 2014 smartphones.

Android L Update Release Next for Most

HTC itself has confirmed that its HTC One models will be moving to Android L after Android 4.4.3 KitKat. Other manufacturers haven’t said what’s next after Android 4.4.3 KitKat and Android 4.4.4 KitKat but it’s becoming clear that there probably won’t be anything in between these updates.

@Stifcho Thanks for your feedback! Yes, for M7 our next update will be L release (no need for 4.4.4).

If you’re on Android 4.4.3 KitKat or Android 4.4.4 KitKat, expect to be moved from those updates to Android L at some point down the road. Android L is still without a release date though it’s rumored for both the third and fourth quarters.